Football fan care home resident's dream comes true

Healthcare News
15/05/2008
A Barchester care home resident was treated to a trip to St James Park.

A Barchester care home resident recently had the experience of a lifetime thanks to the Willow Foundation.

Dean Richards of the Manor Care Home, who has suffered from Huntington's disease for the past eight years, was treated to a trip to St James' Park, to watch his beloved Newcastle United play against Chelsea on Bank Holiday Monday.

Speaking to the Western Daily Press, Dean, who was formerly a soldier and served in Northern Ireland with the 1st Battalion Light Infantry, revealed that Michael Owen is his favourite player.

James Paskin, unit manager of the Manor, told the publication that Huntington's can very quickly cause people to degenerate and as a result can be hard to come to terms with.

"It tends to be diagnosed in people between 30 and 50 and for someone as active as Dean was it is very frustrating," he added.

He continued to state that the trip, which was partly organised by the Barchester Foundation, "meant the world" to Dean.

The Willow Foundation is a UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of seriously ill young adults aged 16 to 40.